“Eat.”
“You’re not going to touch me, are you?”
“No.” I hide my amusement.
She looks outraged.
“Just imagine how you’ll feel when we’re home,” I add. “I can’t wait to get you home.”
“It will be your fault if I combust here on the seventy-sixth floor.” She sounds pissed.
“Oh, Anastasia. We’d find a way to put the fire out.”
She narrows her eyes and takes a bite of her supper. The sea bass is delicious, and I’m hungry. She wriggles in her seat and her dress rides up a little, exposing more of her skin. She takes another bite, then puts down her knife, and runs her hand up the inside of her thigh, her fingertips drumming as she does.
She’s toying with me. “I know what you’re doing.”
“I know that you know, Mr. Grey. That’s the point.” She takes an asparagus stalk between her fingers and, with a sideways glance at me, dips the spear into the hollandaise sauce and swirls it around and around.
“You’re not turning the tables on me, Miss Steele.” I take the asparagus from her. “Open your mouth.”
She opens her mouth and runs her tongue across her bottom lip.
Tempting, Miss Steele. Very tempting.
“Wider,” I command, and she bites her bottom lip but complies, easing the stalk into her mouth and sucking.
Fuck.
It might as well be my cock.
She moans quietly and takes a bite and reaches for me.
I stop her with my other hand. “Oh no you don’t, Miss Steele.” I brush my lips across her knuckles. “Don’t touch,” I scold, and place her hand on her knee.
“You don’t play fair.”
“I know.” I raise my champagne glass. “Congratulations on your promotion, Miss Steele.” We clink glasses.
“Yes, kind of unexpected,” she says, looking a little discouraged. Does she doubt herself? I hope not.
“Eat.” I change the subject. “I am not taking you home until you’ve finished your meal, and then we can really celebrate.”
“I’m not hungry. Not for food.”
Ana. Ana. So easily distracted.
“Eat, or I’ll put you across my knee, right here, and we’ll entertain the other diners.”
She shifts in her seat, making me think a spanking might be welcome, but her pursed lips tell a different story. Picking up an asparagus stalk, I dip the head into the hollandaise. “Eat this,” I tempt her.
She does, keeping her eyes on me.
“You really don’t eat enough. You’ve lost weight since I’ve known you.”
“I just want to go home and make love.”
I grin. “So do I, and we will. Eat up.”
She sighs as if in defeat and starts tucking into her food. I follow her example. “Have you heard from your friend?” I ask.
“Which one?”
“The guy staying in your apartment.”
“Oh, Ethan. Not since he took Mia out for lunch.”
“I’m doing some work with his and Kate’s father.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Kavanagh seems like a solid guy.”
“He’s always been good to me,” she answers, and my earlier thoughts about a hostile takeover of Kavanagh’s business recede.
She finishes her supper and places her knife and fork on her plate.
“Good girl.”
“What now?” she asks, her expression needy.
“Now? We leave. I believe you have certain expectations, Miss Steele. Which I intend to fulfill to the best of my ability.”
“The best of your a-a-bility?” she stutters.
I grin and stand up.
“Don’t we have to pay?”
“I’m a member here. They’ll bill me. Come, Anastasia, after you.” I step aside, and Ana gets up from the table and pauses beside me to smooth her dress down over her thighs.
“I can’t wait to get you home.” I follow her out of the restaurant and stop to talk to the ma?tre d’.
“Thanks, Carmine. Superb as always.”
“You’re welcome. Mr. Grey.”
“And can you call down to have the car brought to the front?”
“No problem. Good night.”
As we get into the elevator I take Ana’s elbow and steer her toward the far corner. I stand behind her and watch as other couples get in.
Hell.
Linc, Elena’s ex, joins us, wearing a shit brown suit.
What an asshole.
“Grey,” he acknowledges me. I nod, and I’m relieved when he turns around. The fact that he’s here, only inches away, makes what I’m about to do even more exciting.
The doors close and I kneel quickly, pretending to do up my shoelace. I place my hand around Ana’s ankle, and as I stand, I skim my hand up her calf, past her knee, and her thigh, to her ass. Her naked ass.
She tenses and I slide my left arm around her waist and pull her to me while my fingers skate down her ass, to her sex. The elevator stops at another floor and we shuffle back as one to let more people on board. But I’m not interested in them. Slowly I brush her clitoris, once, twice, thrice, and then move my fingers back to her heat. “Always so ready, Miss Steele,” I whisper as I inch my middle finger inside her. I hear her faint gasp. “Keep still and quiet,” I warn, so only she can hear me. Slowly I move my finger in and out, on and on, as my excitement grows. She grabs the arm I have around her waist and she squeezes. Holding on. Her breathing accelerates, and I know she’s trying to keep quiet as I silently torment her with my fingers.
The sway of the elevator as it stops to pick up more passengers adds to the rhythm. She sags against me, then pushes her ass against my hand, wanting more. Faster.
Oh, my greedy, greedy girl.
“Hush,” I breathe, and nuzzle her hair. I ease a second finger inside her and continue to pump them in and out. She tips her head back against my chest, exposing her throat. I want to kiss her, but that would draw too much attention to what we’re doing. Her grip on me tightens.
Damn. I’m bursting. My jeans are too fucking tight. I want her, but now really is not the place.
Her fingers dig into me.
“Don’t come. I want that later,” I whisper, and I splay my hand on her belly and press down, knowing that this will emphasize everything she’s feeling. Her head is lolling against my chest and she’s biting down on her bottom lip.
The elevator stops.
There’s a loud ping and the doors open on the first floor.
Slowly I withdraw my hand as the passengers exit, and I kiss the back of her head.
Well done, Ana.
She did not give us away.
I hold her for a moment longer.
Linc turns and nods as he leaves with a woman who I assume is his present wife. When I’m sure Ana is able to stand, I release her. She gazes up at me, her eyes dark and smoky with lust.
“Ready?” I ask, then slip both of my fingers briefly into my mouth. “Mighty fine, Miss Steele.” I give her a wicked grin.
“I can’t believe you just did that,” she whispers, breathless and arousing.
“You’d be surprised what I can do, Miss Steele.” Reaching out, I neaten her hair, pushing it behind her ear. “I want to get you home, but maybe we’ll only make it as far as the car.” I give her a quick smile, check that my jacket is covering the front of my jeans, then take her hand and lead her out of the elevator. “Come,” I bid her.
“Yes, I want to.”